The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-25
Utah to Seek Admission.

The Mormons appear to be determined to
have their own way about polygamy. They
pay very little regard to the laws which
have been enacted for its suppression In
view of the fact that Congress has been
trying for many years to put an end to it,
without much success, the Mormons are
justified in thinking that they will finally
succeed in doing as they please with regard
to it, and they will do as they please unless
much more vigorous measures for its sup
preston are adopted.
They have called a convention to meet in
Salt Lake City next Thursday for the pur-
pose of forming a State constitution for
Utah. They propose to make an effort to
have the Territory admitted into the Union,
and the present indications are that they do
not mean to give up their peculiar institu-
ton. If their effort should be successful
they would be in a position to enact what
ever laws they desired for the protection of
polygamy, and there is no doubt that they
would take immediate steps to fasten it
more firmly upon the people of the Terri
tory than it has ever been.
There is no probability, however, that
Congress would consider favorahly their APP
plcation for admission to the Union as long
as they insist upon retaining polygamy.
They will only waste their time, therefore.
in framing q constitution unless they pro-
vide in it that the evil shall be abandoned at
once. If they go to Congress with consti-
tuition which will meet the approval of the
entire country they may get favorable de
cision, but they will have to give satisfac-
tory guarantees that they are sincere, and
that 1t is their purpose to comply fully with
the laws for the suppression of poll gamy.
They are not yet ready to do this, he veyer,
and the probabilities are that they will CON
tinue to knock at the doors of Congress for
good many years.
The sentiment of the country is that
polygamy must go. 1t is rather remarkable
that the government has not been able to
rid Utah of this evil. The measures which
have been taken against it are apparently
stringent enough, but somehow or other
they don't effect the purpose for which they
were intended. The average Mormon con
tinues to take to himself more than one
wife, and that he will keep up this practice
doubt.
1t must be admitted that the Mormon
problem is very difficult one to solve, and
that the means adopted for its solution are
far from being effective. Doubtless the
question relative to polygamy will occupy
a very considerable part of the attention of
Congress next winter. What is wanted is
a vigorous enforcement not only of existing
laws against polygamy, but also of all those
which may be passed for its suppression.
The government is certainly strong enough
not only TO suppress the evil but also to
drive every Mormon out of the country, if
it finds that polygamy cannot be got rid of
in any other way. It has certainly permit
ted itself to be defied long enough. When
the Mormons apply for the admission of
Utah they ought to be told by Congress in
unmistakable terms that tender treatment
will be accorded them no longer. Utah
cannot enter the sisterhood of States until
she has removed from herself the polyga-
nous stain